Here’s some good news in our state of North Carolina to fight the opportunity gap. Cindy Whitehead, founder and CEO, The Pink Ceiling, called “a tireless force of nature” by Fortune, launched her company in early 2016. The Pink Ceiling offers strategic consulting and seed investing for women-led or women-focused entrepreneurial businesses—they propel breakthroughs. Her venture is designed to work in partnership with companies that serve up innovative solutions for challenges affecting entrepreneurs in all lifecycles of their businesses. Whitehead is committed to empower her clients with the resources and stellar guidance they need to be informed—and to surpass all perceived expectations. Her motivating force is driven by this passion: “…to identify real solutions that can become catalysts for meaningful change for women.”

The Cape Fear region is a rapidly expanding technology sector, and tekMountain has generously provided space, snacks and support for over two years to the group Cape Fear Women in Tech to help foster a burgeoning community focused on professional development for women in technology in the area. Former CastleBranch employees Audrey Speicher and Emilyanne Atkinson founded CFWIT in the summer of 2015 with the sole mission to advance women in technology. CFWIT hosts networking events, technical workshops, and organizes panels and speakers to inspire more women to choose and thrive in sustainable careers in technology. From coders to database admins, designers to entrepreneurs, CFWIT’s membership is varied and diverse. According to their website, they are broad in their definition of a “tech” career. “All women who are currently working in technical professions or looking to do so are welcome.”

Here in Wilmington, NC, The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted the regional InnovateHER competition on May 18 of this year. According to local public radio WHQR, the Wilmington winner is Phyllis Charnoff. Her Very-Veggie pitch is to launch a vegan-only fast-food chain of restaurants. This summer, she’ll work with CIE staff on her business plan, where she hopes to be chosen for the national finals this summer.

“The return of SBA’s InnovateHER Business Challenge presents an exciting opportunity for some of our nation’s foremost entrepreneurs and innovators,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “I decided to launch this annual competition two years ago so that we could begin to address that opportunity gap, because when women have an equal role in the marketplace and are able to chart their own paths, our nation as a whole is stronger and more globally competitive.”

Opportunity to impact the world by empowering lives

Save the date: June 27, 5:30-7pm for Cape Fear Women in Tech and tekMountain’s next event, If She Can Do it, So Can I, a talk which showcases tech entrepreneur and superstar Espree Devora, “the girl who gets it done” from the west coast. The event is sure to be inspiring, as Espree will be spreading the amazing stories of hope and tenacity that she collects from female tech entrepreneurs as well as her own life’s journey. Register here at Eventbrite.

We at tekMountain are dedicated to contributing to the dynamic conversation serving the wider entrepreneurial community. We are helping to cultivate a culture of collaboration, dialogue, and resource-sharing. United, we have the power to truly change the world by connecting with other entrepreneurs and innovators across the globe. We invite you to join us on our website, Twitter and LinkedIn.